Pulverizing-leveler.



l Patented May I5, |906. W. Z. BROWN.

PULVER'IZING LEVELER.

(Application filed Aug. '7, 1899.) No Model.) 2 sheets-sheet l.

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Patented May I5, i900. W. Z. BROWN.

PULVERIZINGl LEVELER.

(Application filed Aug. 7, 1899.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM 7.. BROWN, on ATLAS, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF oNnImw 'ro wILLAnD JAMES, OF SUMMER IIILL, ILLINOIS.

PU L VERI'ZING-LEVLER.

SPECIFICATION' forming part of Letters Patent No. 649,59 5, dated May 15, 1900.

Applltloll filed August '7, 1899.

T0 @ZZ whom it may concern.:

' Be it known that I, WILLIAM Z. BROWN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Atlas, in the county of Pike and State of Illinois, have invented a newand useful Pulverizing- Leveler, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of agriculturalimplements designed particularly for pulverizing and leveling the soil preparatory to planting and other analogous purposes.

One object of the invention is to reduce and materially lighten the draft and to provide for a thorough breaking up and pulverizing of clods and lumps of earth without packing down the upper surface of the soil so treated, but leaving it in a soft open condition, so as to render it in thebest possible condition for the reception of the seed.

A further object of the invention is to simplify and improve the general construction of pulverizing and leveling implements and provide for a joint use of different parts together and singly by replacing one by the other, and thus combine in one machine several implements and dispense with independent devices for similar purposes, thereby materially reducing the labor of pulverizing and leveling and also the cost.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the subjoined description and also the novelty pointed out in the claims, an embodiment of the invention in different arrangements being illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a top plan view of the improved pulverizing and leveling device shown cornplete. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the improved machine. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the device shown arranged as a leveler alone. Fig. i is a similar view of one of the cutter-frames. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective View of one of the cutters and the parts for supporting the same shown separated to illustrate the Inode of application. Fig. 6 isadetail perspective view of one of the cutters.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

The numeral 1 designates a main frame Serial No. 726,425. (No'model.)

comprising opposite longitudinally-disposed side bars 2, continuous with a rear end bar 3, the said side bars being clear at their front terminals and having draft-rods 4 movably connected thereto and which run to a draftlink 5. On the outer sides of the front extremities hook-plates 6 are firmly fixed and are formed with intermediate outstanding bends 7, as more clearly shown in Fig. 3, the rear ends of said plates terminating in downwardly-directed hooks 8, which are below the plane of the under edges of the side bars 2. The link-rods 4. are attached to the front terminals of the said plates 6, and the outstanding bends 7 provide seats for opposite vertically-disposed bolts 9, having securingnuts 10 thereon, the said bolts being passed through the opposite extended ends of a cross-brace 11 and also through keepers l2, applied to the under surface of the outer end portions of the said brace. The bolts are inserted through the keepers 12, extended ends of the brace 11, and seats 7 from the under side, and the nuts 10 are located at the top. The keepers 12 extend into the hooks 8 of the plates 6 and are of a resilient nature to thereby serve as means for holding the devices that engage the said hooks in place against accidental disconnection.

At the rear of each of the side bars 2 a pair of hook-plates 13 and 14 are secured, the plates 13 having downwardly-turned forwardly-extending hooks 'l5 and the plates 14 projected rearward at a downward inclination and terminating in upturned hooks 16. At the center of the rear cross-bar 3 of the frame ltwo bolts 17 are held by means of a clip 18 and inl spaced relation, the said clip being fastened by bolts or analogous devices 19 extending therethrough and through a back plate 20, as

under a plate 23, also secured in place by the said bolts, the latter having applied thereto nuts 24, which rest on the top surface of the said plate 23, and thereby firmly secure the real` portion of the brace-rod. The hinge- IOO plate 23 is formed with an elongated loop or eye 25, and therein is movably tted a stoplink 26, which operates in a manner hereinafter set forth. The crossed brace-rod 2l strengthens the frame 1 and holds the oppo site sides in shape, as well as resists the tendency toward an outward or inward bend that might arise from extraneous pressure applied in opposite directions. l

The brace'll has upwardly-projecting eyes 27 secured therein, to which is movably attached a bail 28, having the central part contracted and formed intoan eye 29 to receive a fastening-bolt 30, carried by an elongated yielding seat-support 3l, against the under side of the front extremity of which the said eye 29 is applied, the front terminal of the support being bent downwardly over the contracted part of the bail, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, and provided with a tongue 32, which passes between the parts and in advance of the contraction of the bail. This arrangement serves to prevent the support 3l from moving on the bail in a lateral direction, and at a suitable point intermediate of the said support a seat 33 is attached. In the arrangement shown by Fig. 1 the rear extremity of the support 31 is inserted through the stopl removably receive the fastening 34.

Adj ustably suspended from the frame 1 are opposite gangs of cutters 37, each comprising a cutter-frame 38, as clearly shown by Fig. 4, having a front upwardly-extending arch 39, with a series of openings 40 at about the center thereof, the said arch being supported in a rigid manner by rearwardly projecting braces 41, connected thereto andv also to the opposite side oars 42. The rear ends 43 of the said lside bars are upturned at a slight oblquity and connected by a cross-tie 44, which has a central opening 45 therein. On the opposite -bars 42 in parallel relation bearingstraps or analogous devices 46 are attached, and one of each pair,respeetively, at the front and rear, on opposite sides, has a laterally-extending rearwardly-projecting hook 47, for a purpose which Will be presently set forth. The bearing-straps 46 movably receive the f rontlegs of elongated substantially U -shaped cutter-'holders 48, the terminals of the said holders being disposed outwardly, and by movably applying one leg of each a swinging adjustable movement can be obtained to regulate the depth of penetration or position of a plurality of cutters 49, removably mounted thereon at predetermined intervals apart. The'cutter-holders 48 are prevented from having the series of cutters in each gang in proper working relation to each other. The cutters 49 are held on the legs of the holders 48 by pairs of clamping-plates 50, having opposite end apertures or openings, through which the said legs extend. The clamping-plates are endwise adjustable or slidable on the said legs of the holders and have between them space-sleeves 5l, which, as shown, are equal in length; but an obvious change would be to have them 'vary and position the cutters nearer together at one end or the other or intermediately, as the condition of the soil and circumstances might require. These spacesleeves 5l surround the legs of the holders 48, and when all the cutters are regulated as to their intervalnuts 52 are fitted on the terminals of the legs of the holders.

Each of the cutters 49 is of substantiallytriangular form and when applied is inverted or has its apex free to thereby present a rear Vertical edge 53 when said cutters 'are in straight Working position, and the front inclined or oblique edge 54 does not extend from one corner to the other, but from the apex to a front edge 55, parallel with the edge 53. The front edge 55 has a slot 56 therein, parallel with 'the top edge 57 and the latter edge at the rear has a slot 58, parallel with the edge 53. It will be observed that both ot' these slots 56 and 58 open out, respectively, through the edges 55 and 57, and by vthis means the cutters can be removed or applied independently Without disconnecting all of the same in a series. In applying the cutters the nuts 52 are loosened, so as to permit separation of the clamping-plates 50, and when this has been attained the slot 56 fis first itted over the front leg of each holder and the slot 58 then brought up over the rear leg, the slots 56 and 58 being approximately of the sanne length, and when applied the edge 57 of the cutter will be parallel with the upper edges of the clamping-plates 50. By tightening the nuts 52 the clamping-plates are brought to bear firmly. against opposite sides of the upper portions of the cutters, and a firm securement results. Each of the cutters has its reduced extremity deflected, as at 59. In the present instance this deflection is in an outward direction, and when the cutters of all the series are arranged in the opposite gangs the cutters of one gang will be reverse to those of the other, and consequently the cost of manufacture and inconvenience arising from a particular form of cutter for opposite sides are entirely avoided. By this is meant that one pattern only is required, and a similar operation is carried on in forming the deliections. It is preferred that the cutters be made of thin or sheet metal, and when applied to their frames in IOO IIO

loperative relation the rear series in each gang are located between the spaces of the front series. By making the holders 4S of substantially U-shaped form or continuous at one end the nuts 52 can be more readily loosened or tightened, as it is obvious that the legs of the holders will not rotate or move, and which disadvantage would be present if the holders were in separate parts.

On each series of teeth looped shoes are applied by means of clamping-plates 6l and nutted clamping-bolts 62, the shoes resting on top of the sleeves 51 between two teeth and the clamping-plates bearing against the under portions of said sleeves. The clamping-bolts 62 extend upwardly through the shoes 60, and the latter have at their rear terminals upwardly-extending arms 63, which are connected by a pair of links 65 and 66. The links 65 and 66 are pivoted to the said arms, and one of the same is provided with a toothed segment 67, the arm 63 of the rearmost shoe being elongated in the form of a shifting lever 68, which stands close to the segment 67 and has thereon a movable flat sleeve 69, with a lower projecting lug 70, adapted to iit in the teeth of said segment. The sleeve 69 is connected to a movable latchgrip 7l, pivoted on the lever 68 by means of the link-rod 72. By pulling rearward on the lever 68 in each gang the rear series of teeth are thrown down, and simultaneously through the links 65 and 66 the front series of teeth are likewise positioned. This adjustment can be varied to bring the teeth either directly vertical or at an angle relative to their supporting parts, having a degree less than the maximum adjustment. By moving the levers in the opposite direction the teeth will be reversed or so that the edges 54 will vary relative to the ground-surface and which is necessaryin passing obstructions. It maybe also required at times to Vary the angle of the front edges 54 of the teeth to accommodate light cultivation, and it will be understood that the nearer the rear edges 53 are brought to a perpendicular line the greater will be the penetration of the deflected reduced ends of the teeth and the more vigorous the cultivation.

The adjustment of the teeth just described is carried on independently of any movement of the frames 38, and the latter are suspended from the main frame 1 by causing the hooks S and 15 to respectively engage one of the openings 40 inzthe arch 39 of the said frames 3S and the opening 45 in the cross-tie 44 at the rear.

of the cutter-frames. The rear portions of the cutter-frames are not adjustable on their nermost openings 40, the frames 38 are shifted at an outward angle and the teeth 49 correspondingly changed with obvious advantages. Normally the teeth 49 will have their upperportions arranged parallel with the side bars 2 of the frame l, and, aside from the adjustinen ts mentioned, the cutter-frames 38 remain constant and are never varied as to their relation. Fixed to the Linder sides of the bars 42 of the cutter-frames are runners 73, consisting of strap metal bent in the form of runners and riveted or otherwise fastened to the said bars 42. These runners operate similarly to other devices ofv this character and rest on the surface of the ground. The front arches 39 ot the frames 3S are prevented from being accidentally disconnected from the hooks S by the keepers 12, which can be readily operated to clear the hooks in changing the adjustment of the said frames.

To the rear of the frame 1 when the device is arranged for complete operation of all its parts a pair of drags 74 are loosely connected, so as to have a selff adjustment and also detachable at will for rearrangement in a manner hereinafter set forth. These drags are independent and of grate form, each comprising front and rear supporting-rods 75,

having space-sleeves 7 6 thereon, with crossbraces 77 between the same at the center and against the outer ends. of the rods 75 nuts 78 are applied and bear against the outermost and inner braces 77. The braces 77 have a series of openings 79 therethrough,which are alined when the parts are connected u p, as shown, and therethrough extend a series of rods SO, running from end to end of each drag and slightly projecting beyond the opposite lend braces 7 7 braces 77 have a curvature in a longitudinal direction, and the openings and rods closely follow the same contour, thereby providing a curved working surface, so as to facilitate the movement of the drag over the soil and cause lumps to pass thereunder and not be pushed forward by the advance portions thereof. The metal brace 77 of each drag has a rear opening 8l formed therein, and in advance of the same is a second opening 82, as more clearly shown in Fig. 3, and at its front end thesaid metal brace also in part supports an u pstandin g ear S3, from which extend diverging brace-rods S4 to the opposite ends of the rear rod 75 to thereby rigidly hold the parts ot the drag against bending or detrimental strain. The upper terminals of the ears S3 have eyes S5 therein for the purpose of connecting the said ears to the hooks 16 and On the opposite ends- The IOO

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which gives the front or advance portions of l the drags a slight elevation to assist in the effective operation of pulverization. These ears 83 can be quicklydisconnected from the hooks 16, and the gangs of teeth maybe used alone to comininute and break up the soil without the said drags. When used together, however, the teeth cut through and throw over the soil and roll the clods and lumps outa 1 Mates wardly from one cutter to the other and thoro'ughly break up the same, and afterward the drags follow over and pulverize such lumps as the teeth failed to break up. The surface of the soil after the drags have passed thereoverl remains soft, owing to the grated construction set forth, and the disadvantage accruing from a surface packing is avoided. The Vdrags are held down through the medium of. a bail 86, having lower hooked terminals removably fitted in the forward openings 82 when the drags are used with the teeth, the upper part'of the bail havinga central loop 87, on which is placed the clip-hook 35. By this means it will be observed that the weight of the driver or operator on the seat 33 is brought to bear on the drags, and the movement. of the latter is taken up by the bail 28,

connected to the front end of the support 3l. The seat 3.3 can also be shifted on the support 3l and held in fixed adjusted position by means of a bolt 88, passing through the said seatand adapted to be inserted in any one of a series of openings 89, a guide-strap 90 eX- tending transversely across the under part of the seat and permanently attached at its opposite ends to form between the same and an .adjacent part of the seat a guide through which the support 3l extends. By varying the location of the seat33 on the support 3l, and particularly when moving said seat toward the rear, the weight of the operator or driver will be more nearly centered on the bail 8G and, through the latter, on the drags. The hooked terminals of the bail 86 have guards 91 over the same, which fit closely to theA upper edges of the braces 77 and prevent the loose and accidental disengagement of the said hooked terminals,and immediately above thesaid guard horizontal bearings 92 are provided. The hooks, guards 91, and bearings 92'are formed by suitable bends.

In arranging the drags for use withoutthe teeth the gangs of the latter are disconnected from the main frame by detaching the cutter-frames 38 from the hooks 8 and l5. d-ragsare then disconnected from the hooks V16, and after this has been accomplished the said drags are then brought up under the main frame l, so that the ears 83 are adjacent to the hooks 8, and said hooks areA inserted in the eyes S5 and locked against displacement by the keepers 12. The bail 86, which was detached from the forward openingsv 82 previous to the connection of the ears 83 with thefhooks 8, is now dropped over the support 3l at a suitable distance from the seat 33 and so that the hooks will coincide with the rear openings 8l. The clip-hook 35 isthen loosened and detached and moved up over the support, so as to connect the bail 86 withthe latter, the s aid clip-hook in this instance having its hooked portion closing down over the loop 87 of the bail, which straddles the said support. By this means the drags may be made to effectively serve their pur- The pose at times when it is not necessary lto use the teeth, and when the drags are so disposed the under edges of the side bars 2 of the frame l rest upon the bearings 92, adjacent to the hooks 81, to prevent the rear part of the main frame from dropping to the ground.

It will be seen from the foregoing di-sclo Asu re, with the substitution of parts, that three implements can be made out of one with very little delay or inconvenience, and the draft necessary to effectively operate the several devices will depend upon the use of the teeth and drags together and either one alone, it being understood that when the drags are used alone less power will be required to pull them over the ground. The improved imple-Y ment or machine is also adapted for use in various kinds of cultivation, and the gangs of teeth when used alone maybe caused to straddle rows of plants both in-la-rge tracts and in confined places. Furthermore, one gang of teeth can be rendered inoperative while the other is at work, and, as before intimated, the inclined or beveled front edges 54 of the teeth provide for an easy clearance of obstructions',`

while the straight front edges 55 are to inter;

Numerous advantages are derived from the present form of pulverizer in view of the multiplicity7 of uses to which it is adapted and the facility of substitution and rearrangement of parts. Furthermore, the entire device can be reduced to compact form for storage or the parts entirely disconnected from the main frame, and even in some instances it might be desirable to detach the cutters and separate the parts of the cutter-frames.

Changes in the proportions, size, and minor details of construction can be resorted to without in the least departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrcing any of the advan-4 tages thereof.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new isl. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a main frame, opposite independent gangs of cutters suspended therefrom, comprising front and rear series in each gang, independent holders for the series of IOO IlO

cutters, means for vertically adjusting the gangs of cutters by devices exclusively connected thereto, and means for varying the interval between the cutters on the holders.

2. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a main frame, opposite cut` ter-frames suspended therefrom and adapted to be adjusted laterally, independent holders on each frame having cutters thereon, and

means for adjusting the said holders connected to the latter independent of the main frame.

\ 3. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a main frame, cutterframes shit'tably and removably suspended from the main frame, holders movably mounted on the cutter-frames, a series of cutters spaced apart on the said holders, and means for varying the interval between said cutters.

4. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a main frame, gangs of cutters supported thereby, an elongated seatsupport havinga seat thereon, drags movably connected to the rear of the main frame, and a device extending up from the drags and adapted to be engaged by the seat-support..

5. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a main frame, opposite gangs of detachable cutters supported by said main frame, rear detachable drags, an elongated seat-supporthavinga seat movable thereon, and a bail removably connected to the drags and adapted to receive the pressure of the seat-support.

6. In a device'of the character set forth, the combination of a main frame, a stop-loop movably carried by the rear thereof, an elongated seat-support having a seat thereon, opposite gangs of cutters detachably connected to the frame, drags separably and movably attached to the rear partof the frame, and means connected to the drags for receiving the pressure of the seat-support.

'7. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a main frame, having a seat-support with a seat thereon, opposite gangs of cutters dctachably connected to said main frame, rear movable drags separabl y attached to the main frame, and means for applying the pressure of the seat-support to the said drags.

S. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a main frame having a seat-support with a seat adjustable thereon, a clip-hook adjustabl y connected to said seatsupport, opposite gangs of cutters removably connected to the main frame, rear drags movably and separably attached to said frame, and a bail removably and adjustably connected to the drags and adapted to be engaged by the clip-hook.

9. In a device of the character' set forth, the combination of a main frame, a bail movably connected to a front part of said frame, a seat-support attached to said bail and havingaseat thereon, earth-leveling devices movably and separably connected to said main frame, and a bail removably and adj ustably attached to the earth-leveling devices and to the said support.

10. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a main frame, having a movable seat-support with a seat thereon, earth-leveling devices removably connected to the said main frame, and movable devices between the earth-leveling devices and said seat-support.

11. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a main frame, a seat-support having a seat thereon, earth-leveling devices removably connected to said main frame, and a bail adj ustably attached to the seat-support and having a terminal formed with hooks to removably and adj ustably engage the earth-leveling devices and also with guards and bearing-surfaces.

12. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a main frame having a seat-support, earth-leveling devices removably connected to said main frame, and an intermediate connecting device between the seat-support and the earth-leveling devices having bearings for the main frame.

13. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a main frame having counecting-hooks at the front and rear, keepers extending into a part'of said hooks, and attachments for the main frame having projecting portions adapted to engage the hooks having the keepers.

1l. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a main frame, front and rear downwardly-turned hooks thereon, rear upwardly-turned hooks, opposite gangs of cutters, and drags, said gangs ot' cutters and drags being removably attach-able to the said hooks.

15. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a main frame, a seat-support extending thereover and provided with a seat, a rear stop-link, gangs of cutters removably attached to the frame, and rear drags having an upwardly-extending device adapted to be engaged by the seat-support.

1G. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a main frame, a drag comprising end and intermediate braces held at predetermined distances apart and having a series of alined openings therein, and a plurality of rods extending through the openings in the braces to thereby form an open structure, the braces being curved to provide a curved Working surface.

17. In a device of the character set forth, the combi nation of a main frame having hooks thereon, and a cutter-frame supporting a series of cutters and having a front arch, a rear upstanding cross-tie and lower runners.

1S. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a main frame, a cutterframe removably connected thereto and having retaining devices in reverse positions on opposite sides, and series of cutters supported by the cutter-frame and adapted to be eugaged by the said retaining devices.

19. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a main frame, independent cutter-holders connected to the said main frame, and substantially of U-shaped form,

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and a series of cutters movably and adjustably mounted on the said holders.

20. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a main frame, a cutterframe connected to the said main frame, eutter-holders continuous at one end and having one leg of each movably mounted .on the said cutter-frame, and a series of cutters removably and adjustably held on the said holders.

2l. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a main frame, cutterholdcrs connected thereto, a series of cutters removably and adj ustably applied to said holders, clamping-plates on the holders to engage the upper portions of the cutters, and spaced sleeves on the holders between the clamping-plates.

22. In a .device of the character set forth, a cutter having slots in the front and upper edges opening out through the latter and vadapted to be applied to or removed from a holding,r device Without disassociating all of the series thereof.

23. A cutter for the purpose set forth, consisting of a thin metal plate of substantiallytriangular form with a deflected apex extremity, and slots in the front and upper edges opening outwardly through the latter.

24:. A cutter for the purpose set forth, having a rear straight edge and a front bevel running to a front straight edge and forming at the said rear edge a Working point which is laterally deflected, the front straight edge and rear part of the upper ed'ge having slots opening therethrough and arranged in planes at right angles to each other.

25. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a cutter-holder consisting of parallel legs continuous at one end, a series of cutters removably mounted on said legs and having slots in the front and upper edges arranged in planes at right angles to each other, and means for fastening the said cutters on the holders.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own l have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

VILLIAM Z. BROlVN.

lVitnesses:

Jol-IN II. FARRINcToN, E. A. BUn'r. 

